Cantilever structure for furnace roof



March 15, 1966 R. A. BUNGE 3,240,173

CANTILEVER STRUCTURE FOR FURNACE ROOF 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIMIII A wdmW Mw m March 15, 1966 R. A. BUNGE CANTILEVER STRUCTURE FOR FURNACE ROOF 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1, 1963 nitecl States Patent 3,240,173 CANTILEVER STRUQTURE FOR FURNACE ROOF Richard A. Bunge, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., assignor to Chicago Fire Brick Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 1, 1963, Ser. No. 292,008 Claims. (Cl. 110-99) This invention relates to cantilever structure for the roof of an industrial furnace wherein composite beam units of metallic members and refractory tile are carried by, and extend in opposite directions from, main roof beams.

One object of the invention is to provide cantilever roof structure of uniform design that may be installed in furnaces wherein the main roof beams are of random shape, size and spacing.

Another object is to provide cantilever roof structure suitable for installation in either new or old furnaces.

Still another object is to provide cantilever structure for a furnace roof wherein the refractory tile is suspended in such manner as to be free of compressive stresses with adjacent tile, a condition that prolongs tile life.

Another object is to provide cantilever structure wherein the several members of each cantilever beam unit are positively aligned in co-linear relation, thus facilitating installation of the roof.

Still another object is to provide cantilever roof structure wherein two cantilever beam units extend oppositely from a central supporting member and wherein the latter is secured rigidly to a roof beam. Thus, one beam unit of a pair can be loaded with refractory tile without occasioning a tilted condition.

Another object is to provide cantilever roof structure wherein virtually all metallic members first may be installed, and thereafter the refractory tile may be applied. This feature contrasts with prior structure wherein a metallic member and refractory tile either must be installed together or in immediate succession.

Still another object is to provide cantilever roof struc ture which employs a small number of different parts, all of which are installed without fastening means such as bolts or the like and without tools of any kind.

Other objects, advantages and details of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein one form of the invention is shown. It will be understood that the description and drawings are illustrative only, and that the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a furnace roof embodying the cantilever structure of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an assembled portion of a furnace roof embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the metallic members used in the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the member shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawnigs, and first to FIG. 1, the roof of a new or old industrial furnace includes a plurality of spaced roof beams such as beams 10 and 11. The illustrated beams 10 and 11 are so-called wide flange beams, although the invention equally is suitable for use with other beams such as I-beams and beams formed with two channels placed web-to-web.

Roof beams 10 and 11 have lower longitudinal flanges designated 12 in each instance. A flange 12 has a portion 13 extending in one direction and a portion 14 extending in the other direction from web 15 of the beam.

As previously mentioned, the structure of. the invention is adapted for use with beams having a variety of ice shapes and sizes and, in particular, lower flanges 12 of various sizes. It will be seen that the member next to be described, which conveniently is formed in only one size, is capable of engaging securely a lower beam flange 12 regardless of the thickness or width of the flange, within reasonable limits.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a central supporting member 20 is disposed below and carried by each beam 10, 11. Each member 20 constitutes the core or base of an associated pair of cantilever beam units, the two beam units of a pair extending in opposite directions from member 20. It will be understood, of course, that in a complete roof there will be a plurality of spaced members 20 associated with each roof beam 10, 11, whereby a number of cantilever beam pairs are supported from each beam.

A central supporting member 20 is somewhat elongated, and disposed transversely with respect to a roof beam 10, 11. Member 20 preferably is a metal casting having an elongated upper edge 21.

Uniformly spaced recesses 23 are provided in the end portions of upper edge 21, as shown in the drawing. By way of example, recesses 23 may be 7 4 inch long, and spaced on /2 inch centers. Thus, the length of the material between recesses is A inch. Recesses 23 cooperate with members presently to be described to establish rigid connection between central supporting members 20 and the beam flanges 12 of various widths and thicknesses.

Elongated keyhole slots 25 parallel to upper edge 21 are provided in each end region of member 20. The function of these slots will be described hereinafter.

Laterally spaced lug means 27, described in greater de tail later, are located in each end region of member 20. These lug means are located intermediate the top and bottom of the member.

Bearing means 28 are located in the lower portion of each end region of member 20, and the purpose thereof will be described later.

Cooperating with each central supporting member 20 is a pair of flange-engaging members 30 adapted to connect member 20 rigidly to a beam flange 12. Members 30!, preferably of cast metal, are identical in shape and size, and they are oriented reversely in assembly as will be seen.

A member 30 has a generally V-shaped recess 31 adapted to receive a portion 13 or 14 of a beam flange 12, and a headed lateral boss 32 adapted to extend through a keyhole slot 25 of member 20. A member 30 also has a downwardly facing shoulder 33 that in assembly lies adjacent elongated upper edge 21 of central supporting member 20.

A flange-engaging member 30 has at least one, and preferably two, pin-receiving recess 34 that intersects shoulder 33. Two such recesses 34 are shown in the drawings.

A U-shaped retaining pin 35 is used with each flangeengaging member 30, one leg of pin 35 being received within a recess 34 and extending into one of the spaced recesses 23 in central supporting member to lock member 30 to member 20 in the position required for the former to have clamped relation with a beam flange 12.

It will be remembered that flange-receiving recess 31 of member 30 is V-shaped. This enables the recess to receive beam flanges 12 of varying thickness and establish a rigid relationship between member 30 and a beam 10, 11. Establishment of the rigid relationship also requires that one or both of members 30 associated with a member 20 be subject to accurate positioning on member 20. The aforesaid recesses 23 on member 20, recesses 34 on member 30 and pin 35 cooperate to provide the desired cnitical position, as will be seen.

When two pin-receiving recesses 34 are used, as here illustrated, they are located on centers spaced by an amount equal to a multiple of the distance between uniformly spaced recesses 23 on member 20 plus one-half of such distance. Thus, pin 35 may be used in one or the other of the recesses 34 with the result that member 30 may be positioned positively on member 20 at increments equal to one-half the distance between recesses 23. In the example given, recesses 23 are separated by onefourth inch, and with the described arragement, member 30 may be positioned at increments of /8 inch. This distance is small enough to establish a desired rigid relationship between a beam 10', 11 and central supporting member 20.

Supporting member 20 may have a central index boss or marked 37 for convenience in centering member 20 with respect to the transverse dimension of beam flange 12. Member 20 is positioned transversely so that index mark 37 is aligned with Web of the beam.

The structure of the invention also includes a plurality of identical hanger members 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that extend in series relation from the opposite ends of a central supporting member 20. A hanger member 40 has hook means 41 and laterally spaced lug means 42, similar to lug means 27 on member 20, at the respective upper end. Hanger member 40 also has bearing means 43 and 44 at the respective lower ends.

Hook means 41 of a hanger member 40 engages laterally spaced lug means 27 of member 20, and bearing means 43 at that end of member 40 engages adjacent hearing means 28 of member 20, as best shown in FIG. 2.

Successive hanger members 40 in a series leading away from central supporting member engage and are supported by the next preceding hanger member in the same manner that the first hanger member engages and is supported by supporting member 20. Thus, hook means 41 of the next following hanger member engages laterally spaced lugs means 42 of the preceding member '40, and bearing means 43 at the hook end of the second member 40 engages bearing means 44 below lug means 42 of the preceding member 40.

Hanger members 40, preferably of cast metal, are rugged in construction and not subject to significant distortion when loaded. It will be noted that hook means 41 is located as far as possible away from the bearing means 43 below, a construction that minimizes bending moments that could produce distortion or breakage when hanger members 40 are loaded with tile. The two-point suspension of members 40 and the freedom from distortion, of course mean that associated tile are supported entirely by members 40 and are free of compressive stresses from adjacent tile. This construction extends greatly the life of the refractory tile.

In the form of the invention illustrated, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, hook means 41 on a hanger member 40 comprises a central longitudinal web portion 45 and an engaging portion 46 extending laterally from one side of the web portion. This form of hook means facilitates the process of casting member 40.

As shown, laterally spaced lug means 27 on supporting member 20 and laterally spaced lug means 42 on hanger member 40 comprise at least three spaced upstanding lugs, one lug 50 on one side of the longitudinal center line of the member and the other two lugs 51 and 52 on the other side of the center line. Central Web portion 45 of a hook means 41 is received in the central space between, and aligned longitudinally by, lug 50 on one side and lugs 51, 52 on the other side. Engaging portion 46 on web portion 45 interlocks behind and engages lug 50, as best shown in FIG. 2.

Central supporting member 20 and hanger member 40 are provided with tile supporting means 55 and 56, respectively. Means 55 comprise lateral flanges 58 and 59 that extend longitudinally along the bottom of member 20. Similarly, means 56 comprise lateral flanges 60 and 4 61 that extend along the bottom of member 40'. When members 20 and 40 are assembled, as shown in FIG. 2, it will be noted that flanges 58 and 59 on member 20 are in longitudinal alignment with flanges 60 and 61, respectively, of member 40.

Refractory tile 65 of suitable size, shape and characteristics for the contemplated conditions are designed to engage and be supported by tile receiving means 55 and 56. As illustrated, each tile 65 has a recess 66 of inverted T-shape extending into and across its upper surface. Means 55 and 56 on members 20 and 40 are adapted to be received within the tile recesses 66 and thereby support tile 65, as indicated in FIG. 2.

It will be understood that tile 65 may be installed in the roof in either of two ways. A tile 65 first may be assembled with a hanger member 40, and the assembly installed as a unit, the member 40 being applied to a central supporting member 20 or a preceding hanger member 40, as the case may be. Alternatively, all of the metallic members 20 and 40 first may be installed, after which tile 65 may be added. The latter method is possible because of the alignment of the respective tile-receiving means 55, 56 and the recesses of inverted T-shape that extend completely through each tile 65.

The space between the free ends of adjacent cantilever beam units is bridged by a link member 70 (FIG. 1) of generally T-shaped. Arms 71 and 72 of link member 70 are received in the central spaces between respective lug means 42 of members 40 at the free ends of the beam units. Link member 70 also has tile-supporting means 73 comprising lateral flanges 74 and 75 that align with flanges 60 and 61 of members 40. A tile of required width to close the gap is carried by flanges 74 and 75. In practice, the width of the tile carried by link member 70 is somewhat smaller than the width of the gap, thereby providing space for an expansion joint or joints.

It will be noted that no extraneous fastening means or tools of any kind are required in the assembly of a furnace roof using the structure of the invention. Further, it will be noted that only a small number of different parts are used, and in the case of flange-engaging members 30 and hanger members 40, the design of the members is such that the same member is used in both the right hand and left hand sense.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Cantilever structure for a furnace roof comprising:

a central supporting member adapted to hang from a flanged roof beam, said central supporting member having uniformly spaced recesses in the end portions of an elongated upper edge and an elongated keyhole slot in each end region parallel to said upper edge;

a pair of flange-engaging members each having a V- shaped recess adapted to receive a beam flange and a headed lateral boss extending through one of said keyhole slots, each flange-engaging member having a shoulder adjacent the elongated upper edge of said central supporting member and at least one pin-receiving recess intersecting said shoulder;

a U-shaped retaining pin for each flange-engaging member having one leg in said pin-receiving recess and extending into one of the spaced recesses in said central supporting member to lock said flange-engaging member to said central supporting member in the position required for the former to have clamped relation with a beam flange;

laterally spaced lug means and bearing means in each end region of said central supporting member;

a plurality of hanger members each having hook means and laterally spaced lug means at the respective upper ends thereof and bearing means at the respective lower ends thereof, said hook means engaging the laterally spaced lug means of an adjacent member and securing the adjacent members together in positive alignment with adjacent bearing means in engagement; and

tile-supporting means on said central supporting member and said hanger members whereby tile elements supported by said members are free of compressive stress with adjacent tile elements.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a flange-engaging member has two pin-receiving recesses intersecting said shoulder, said recesses spaced by an amount equal to a multiple of the distance between said uniformly spaced recesses plus one-half said distance whereby to provide locking at increments equal to one-half said distance.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said laterally spaced lug means on said central supporting member and said hanger members comprise at least three lugs, one lug on one side of the longitudinal center line of the member and the other two lugs on the other side of said center line.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said hook means on said hanger members comprise a central longitudinal web portion received in the central space between, and aligned longitudinally by, said lugs, and an engaging portion extending laterally from one side of said web portion and interlocking behind said one lug.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tile-supporting means on said central supporting member and said hanger members comprise lateral flanges, said flanges in longitudinal alignment and adapted to be received in tile recesses having inverted T-shaped.

6. In cantilever structure for a furnace roof:

at central supporting member adapted to hang from a flanged roof beam, said central supporting member having uniformly spaced recesses in the end portions of an elongated upper edge and an elongated keyhole slot in each end region parallel to said upper edge;

a pair of flange-engaging members each having a. V-

shaped recess adapted to receive a beam flange and a headed lateral boss extending through one of said keyhole slots, each flange-engaging member having a shoulder adjacent the elongated upper edge of said central supporting member and at least one pin-receiving recess intersecting said shoulder;

a U-shaped retaining pin for each flange-engaging member having one leg in said pin-receiving recess and extending into one of the spaced recesses in said central supporting member to lock said flange-engaging member to said central supporting member in the position required for the former to have clamped 5 relation with a beam flange; and laterally spaced lug means and bearing means in each end region of said central supporting member.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein a flange-engaging member has two pin-receiving recesses intersecting said shoulder, said recesses spaced by an amount equal to a multiple of the distance between said uniformly spaced recesses plus one-half said distance whereby to provide locking at increments equal to one-half said distance.

8. Cantilever structure for a furnace roof comprising:

a central supporting member adapted to hang from a flanged roof beam, said supporting member having spaced adjustable members adapted to engage and interlock with opposite sides of a roof beam flange, and laterally spaced lug means and bearing means in each end region; and

a plurality of hanger members each having hook means and laterally spaced lug means at the respective upper ends thereof and bearing means at the respective lower ends thereof, one of said hanger members having its hook means and one of its bearing means respectively engaging said laterally spaced lug means and said bearing means at one end of said central supporting member and another of said hanger mem ber having its hook means and one of its bearing means respectively engaging the laterally spaced lug means and one of the bearing means of an adjacent hanger member, said hook means having a portion extending between said laterally spaced lug means, thus securing said central supporting member and said hanger members together in positive alignment; and

tile-supporting means on said central supporting member and said hanger members.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said laterally spaced lug means on said central supporting member and said hanger members comprise at least three lugs, one lug on one side of the longitudinal center line of the member and the other two lugs on the other side of said center line.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said hook means on said hanger members comprise a central longitudinal web portion received in the central space between, and aligned longitudinally by, said lugs and an engaging portion extending laterally from one side of said web portion and interlocking behind said one lug.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 734,275 7/ 1903 Lyon 248228 X 1,718,671 6/1929 Walsh -99 1,913,168 6/1933 Longenecker 110-99 3,045,616 7/1962 Reich l1099 3,045,994 7/ 1962 Longenecker 11099 X FREDERICK L. MATTESON, 111., Primary Examiner.

FREDERICK KETTERER, Examiner. 

8. CANTILEVER STRUCTURE FOR A FURNACE ROOF COMPRISING: A CENTRAL SUPPORTING MEMBER ADAPTED TO HANG FROM A FLANGED ROOF BEAM, SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER HAVING SPACED ADJUSTABLE MEMBERS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND INTERLOCK WITH OPPOSITE SIDES OF A ROOF BEAM FLANGE, AND LATERALLY SPACED LUG MEANS AND BEARING MEANS IN EACH END REGION; AND A PLURALITY OF HANGER MEMBERS EACH HAVING HOOK MEANS AND LATERALLY SPACED LUG MEANS AT THE RESPECTIVE UPPER ENDS THEREOF AND BEARING MEANS AT THE RESPECTIVE LOWER ENDS THEREOF, ONE OF SAID HANGER MEMBERS HAVING ITS HOOK MEANS AND ONE OF ITS BEARING MEANS RESPECTIVELY ENGAGING SAID LATERALLY SPACED LUG MEANS 